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Music Matters: Jimkata's crowd-funded album explores meaning in the digital age

Jimkata

“Die Digital,” the September 2012-released title of Jimkata’s newest album, brings the electro-rock of Evan Friedell (lead vocals/guitar), Aaron Gorsch (guitar/keys), Dave Rossi (bass) and Packy Lunn (drums). The inspiration for the title comes from the hectic, cyber-focused age we live in, Friedell reveals.

“I see that song and a lot of the content of the album as a reflection on life in the digital age,” he says. “With our usage of the Internet increasing drastically over the last 10 years, sometimes it feels like we’re more connected with what’s going on in the world but less connected to ourselves. We can know trivial things about anything, or nothing, but are we still connected with what’s truly important — love, family, friends, purpose?”

However, Friedell is also quick to point out the irony of that theme.

“This album was entirely fan-funded through the Internet,” he explains. “So we take the good with the bad and aren’t trying to make any sweeping statements. It’s just an omnipresent force in our lives now.” Jimkata is experiencing a similar inertia, touring nationally to promote the album with 16 shows to finish out 2012, including a New Year’s Eve show in New York.

But Friedell and company prefer to focus on the moment, like his favorite line from the album suggests: “There never was a golden age ’cause it’s what you make of it anyway.”

“I like that line because it feels that lately people have taken on this doomsday mentality, and we’re always harkening back to some ‘perfect generation.’ Well, I feel like it’s all up to us to make whatever we want of the cards we’re dealt at any given time.”

Friedell credits not only their relevant lyrics but also their EDM (electronic dance music) influence for their loyal fan base.

“People want to party! I think the news has been heavy lately. Terrible economy, wars, climate change, etc. People just want to let loose and be with their friends.

“We find ourselves to be inbetween EDM and rock in that we want that dance party feeling at our live shows but also want people to be able to pop on the album and really connect with the songs.”

That combination of fun-seeking and soul-searching seems to define the group’s approach.

“I suppose the album is mostly about the ups and downs of life in the current age we live in,” Friedell says, “but our shows are high-energy music and a lot of dancing!”

Friedell shares one of those downs (or arguably ups?) about a concertgoer who they called ‘Shoelicker.’

“He approaches random strangers and says, ‘What kind of shoes are those?’ then proceeds to get down on his knees and try to lick the bottom of your shoes. He was at a show in Buffalo three years ago licking everyone’s shoes after the show. The kicker is that three years later we saw this guy in Tampa. He approached us outside of an open air hookah bar and said, ‘Hey, I like your shoes ...’ And before he could even finish I was having this ‘holy (expletive)’ moment while at the same time the bartender at the hookah bar is yelling, ‘Shoelicker, shoelicker! No! Go away!’

“I mean, what are the odds of meeting Shoelicker twice?”

As long as Shoelicker doesn’t make an appearance, the band is definitely excited about returning to Savannah.

“I love playing right along the river there and walking around before the show. It’s nice to be able to take a drink along with you, too!”

For more info, visit www.jimkata.com.

SEE THE SHOW:

9 p.m. Nov. 13 with The BIG Something at Live Wire Music Hall, 307 W. River St., 912-233-1192, livewiremusichall.com, $6